ACID WITCH — Witchtanic Hellucination (review)

ACID WITCH — Witchtanic Hellucination album cover Album · 2008 · Death-Doom Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
siLLy puPPy
Detroit based ACID WITCH call their style of music “Halloween Metal” creating sonic spookfests with semi-kitchy occult laced themes that actually fit quite well into that self-described style of metal. The band released this debut album WITCHTANIC HELLUCINATIONS in 2008 on Razorback Records and did a great job of carving out their own sound from the start. While lead vocalist Slasher Dave has cited Pagan Altar as the main influence of this death doom extravaganza, the actual sound is much more inclusive.

What we get here is a nice series of chuggin’ down-tuned doom riffs a lot like the 80s Pentagram albums with occasional Sabbath worshipping. The guitars and bass are more highly distorted though, rather like drone metal acts Earth or the fuzzed-out freaks Boris. The most unique thing about their brand of stoner doom metal is the inclusion of death metal vocals that are really low and remind me of something between the unique vocal skills heard with the low vocal fry range of Demilich and the creepy croaking of Incantation. While death doom is nothing new of course, the icing on the cake has to be the psychedelic aspects mostly played out with the oscillating keyboard effects that add layers to the distorted fuzzfest that wouldn’t sound out of place on an Ozric Tentacles album.

While the tracks are all generally similar in construction with occult and party like it’s 1999 themes and a musical sound that makes a good headbanging horror movie soundtrack, it’s a sound i find very appealing and fell in love with it on first listen. The imagery is all in good fun and comes off in a similar fashion to Rob Zombie’s playful art of occult imagery and groovy, catchy riffs that sometimes have a touch of NWOBHM and classic 80s metal guitar solos. This album is certainly one hell of a HELLUCINATION and proof that stoner metal can be more than just slow churning riffs and getting the munchies. This WITCHTANIC spell has certainly left me hypnotized.
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voila_la_scorie wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Listened to them on YouTube yesterday. Defibitely time and place music but could be enjoyable without a doubt.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Just be prepared for some burbing type growling vocals :-)
voila_la_scorie wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Ok, now I am curious...
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
This one was pure luck that i found it at a thrift store for $2. The album cover sold me and i'm glad i took the chance. Definately interested in the followup
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
They are a pretty cool band. I recently introduced them to my Brother, who really enjoys them.

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